Themes
Scene and accessory details for themes like a witch's cave, bridal shower, or a lighthouse.

Tools

Windows and Window Treatments

Workshops and Organization
Setting up a better workspace.

Wallpaper

Friday, May 20 2005 @ 06:35 AM

Views: 1541

Wallpaper: I have used prepasted as instructed (wet paper). Very successful for about 4 years and still looking good. I have used wallpaper that needs to be pasted also. I put the paste on the walls directly. Be sure you have the paper cut and ready to apply. I had better control of the paste this way and it didn't get all over the finished ceiling and floor. I applied this with my fingers and in the tight corners I used a scrap of thin wood to smear it around. Just put a thin even coat---no lumps. Plus the paper was easier to handle when it was not full of paste. I used the wallpaper paste sold by mini shops.

Elise

Stucco

Friday, May 20 2005 @ 06:34 AM

Views: 1662

Stucco: I used a product called StuccoMate for two dollhouses I just completed. It comes in a quart container and is very easy to apply. I used the fine texture. The label says that it bonds to most surfaces and can be used anywhere a textured stucco finish is desired such as decorating or craft projects. It is paintable, does not require priming, stays flexible (won't crack) and resists stains, mold and mildew.

Courdee

Formica

Friday, May 20 2005 @ 06:34 AM

Views: 1726

Formica: When I wanted a counter top for the kitchen counters in an apartment I was making I went to our best lumber store and purchased 2' x 4' of real white Formica. Unlaminated, Formica is less than 1/8" thick, so it is great for miniatures. I cut it with a table saw.

Barb Jones

Formica

Friday, May 20 2005 @ 06:32 AM

Views: 1646

Formica: You could make a very nice tile floor out of the little color samples of Formica. Cut in one inch squares and glue down. You could even mix colors if you have different colors. For the grout in between, you could use real tile grout. Put a thin layer over all, let it set for about 15 minutes, and wipe off the excess.

jeregrl

Wallpapering Tips

Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 11:15 AM

Views: 1700

Wallpapering Tips: I found the easiest way to wallpaper was to make templates first using drawing paper that's not too thin. You'll find the same templates can be used for more than one room. If your house has rooms of the same size but different heights - just adjust accordingly. You will also find it easier when matching patterned wallpaper as you can lay out the templates on the wallpaper with the pattern all lined up. I paper the side walls first allowing a small amount of paper to go around and onto the back wall. The back wallpaper is cut to exact size and can then be put on last to cover these overlaps leaving no gaps. I use ready mixed border adhesive but it does not give any time to maneuver so is probably not to everyone's liking. After pasting the paper and placing it on the wall, I smooth it over GENTLY with a piece of soft dry kitchen towel to get rid of air pockets. The thing to remember is it doesn't matter if you do it and it goes wrong. It only takes a minute or two to strip it and start again and practice does make perfect! One last thing - when you open your dollhouse, you can see all or most of the rooms at the same time so choosing your wallpaper to coordinate works better than having the rooms in colors and patterns that clash.

Karon

Filling Wall Seams

Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 11:14 AM

Views: 1818

Filling Wall Seams: I used wood putty to fill the seams in the walls/siding. I used water-based putty, then sanded smooth, and the seams do not show under my wallpaper.

Michelle Fox

Wallpapering Tips

Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 11:14 AM

Views: 1572

Wallpapering Tips: Decide what each room will be, and then select papers - average 2-3 sheets of paper per room. In minis, we usually do not try to 'match' patterns, like in the real world of wallpapering. One sheet for each wall, or less if the room is smaller. Do the back wall first, slightly wrapping a little bit of the edges (right and left sides of the paper), so that those edges cover a bit of each left and right side wall.....this will give you just a bit of 'boo-boo' advantage when you paper the side walls. Papers are usually 'taller' than your walls,leaving excess to trim off at the ceiling or floor. BE CAREFUL if you have wired....don't forget that wiring is underneath those papers - :) If you cut off the excess paper, you may cut right through your wiring - YIKES!

To avoid that, I usually make 'patterns' from plain paper to fit each wall, then cut the wallpapers from this...they will fit almost perfectly when you paste the papers to the walls. If you are a 'bit short' at the top or bottom, just hide this with crown moldings and/or baseboards.

Laura in OKC

Attic Wallpaper

Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 11:13 AM

Views: 2142

Attic Wallpaper: Just a thought, but how about scanning in some full sized newspapers, resizing the pictures to teeny...(not a official scanning size, I'll admit!) and then printing on a yellowish paper? At this time of the year all the catalogs come out, and some have reprints of old newspapers..."The year you were born" type of thing. (There must be some other way of getting copies of old newspapers, but I can't think of where that would be.)

Kaye in L.A.

Easy Inexpensive Flooring

Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 11:12 AM

Views: 1969

Easy Inexpensive Flooring: Before you assemble your house, set it up and mark where the floor will be. Score with an awl down the side of a metal yardstick. I marked mine 1/2" apart and, although that isn't in scale, it accentuates the floor. I feel that if any smaller, you would be covering up all your work. Then add some lines across your marks to resemble joints in planks. If you want nail holes, just tap the awl with a hammer right by your joint marks. Sand the floors and stain! I did try to wood burn some of the lines to see what effect it would have and the burner operator got a little off track from the wood grain, though it would look great in a old 'lived in house (like my real one, with kids and pets)or a log cabin setting.

Lisa Lynn

Easy Inexpensive Flooring

Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 11:11 AM

Views: 2485

Easy Inexpensive Flooring: I made flooring from the backing that came with the mini flooring I bought, I made lines with a ballpoint pen in black, then stained it. I guess I could have put a gloss coat on but I did not think of that. When I laid it, it looked good. I did put pin holes on with the pen. Try it.